Wales interim head coach Rob Howley accepts that a solution to Welsh international rugby's overseas player departures will not be found overnight.

But Howley is confident discussions between the Welsh Rugby Union and four professional regions - Cardiff Blues, Scarlets, Ospreys and Newport Gwent Dragons - can reach a satisfactory conclusion.

"Warren (Gatland) and myself went over to France and had five or six days with the various coaching teams in Bayonne, Toulon and Perpignan," Howley said.

"There are ongoing discussions with those players based in France. At this moment in time, those players are unlikely to be involved in the Australia game.

"But it is important we look at every individual case and why that player is going to France.

"If they are being head-hunted, then surely between the agent, the player and the club president there can be some sort of arrangement or discussion that the player becomes available for some preparation time or a game outside the IRB Test window.

"It was important for us to go to France. If you don't try, I think you are always going to have a negative answer. We wanted to open discussions and try to create a relationship.

"Ideally, we want everyone to stay in Wales, but we understand in terms of supply and demand that is not going to happen - from a players' perspective and from a region's perspective - and we just have to get on with it and manage our players the best we can.

"We need to find a Welsh solution. At this moment in time there is a lot of good talk going on between the regions and the Welsh Rugby Union, and I am sure at some stage a solution will be found.

"It is important the right solution is found. It's not going to happen overnight. It's softly, softly, and communications are in place, and I am sure a solution will be in place shortly."

Howley has named a 35-man squad for autumn appointments with Argentina, Samoa, New Zealand and Australia. It includes just one uncapped player in Ospreys prop Aaron Jarvis.